Fundi Teens Invade S.F., Fail to Turn Homosexuals Straight

[Wicked Pilot]

Evangelical teens rally in S.F.

Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, March 25, 2006

More than 25,000 evangelical Christian youth landed Friday in San Francisco for a two-day rally at AT&T Park against "the virtue terrorism" of popular culture, and they were greeted by an official city condemnation and a clutch of protesters who said their event amounted to a "fascist mega-pep rally."

"Battle Cry for a Generation" is led by a 44-year-old Concord native, Ron Luce, who wants "God's instruction book" to guide young people away from the corrupting influence of popular culture.

Luce, whose Teen Mania organization is based in Texas, kicked off a three-city "reverse rebellion" tour Friday night intended to counter a popular culture that he says glamorizes violence and sex. The $55 advance tickets for two days of musical performances and speeches were sold out, but walk-up admission was available for $199.

After stops in Detroit and Philadelphia in the next few weeks, Luce wants to unleash a "blitz" of youth pastors into the communities to do everything from work with the homeless to find new ways to bring others to Christ. He challenged youth leaders to double the size of their groups in the next year.

And then he plans to return to San Francisco next year to chart their progress.

That's bad news to Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who told counterprotesters at City Hall on Friday that while such fundamentalists may be small in number, "they're loud, they're obnoxious, they're disgusting, and they should get out of San Francisco."

Luce didn't flinch in the face of the counterprotest. The author, host of the "Acquire the Fire TV" cable television program and a President Bush appointee to a federal anti-drug-abuse commission, wants teens to find Bible-based solutions for the spread of sexually transmitted disease, teen pregnancy, drug abuse and suicide.

The villains, Luce said, range from the promiscuity and "sexualization" of young people on MTV and the popular online meeting hub MySpace.com to a corporate culture that spends millions trying to woo the under-21 crowd.

Battle Cry will try to bring them back to God through two days of religious rockers, speakers and the debut of what Luce called a Christian alternative to My Space.com.

"This is more than a spiritual war," Luce said. "It's a culture war."

Military metaphors abound in Luce's descriptions of the struggle. He tells young people of how "an enemy has launched a brutal attack on them." At a pre-Battle Cry rally Friday afternoon on the steps of City Hall, Luce told his mostly teenage audience that "terrorists of a different kind" -- advertisers -- were targeting them and that they were "caught in the middle of the battle."

"Are you ready to go to battle for your generation?" he asked, and the young people roared "yes!" and some waved triangular red flags flown from long, medieval-looking poles.

Luce's approach has been praised by conservative leaders from the Rev. Jerry Falwell to Fox News commentator Sean Hannity. Much of the statistical backing for the horrors Luce sees on TV is provided by the Parents Television Council, which is funded by conservative foundations such as the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

Those alliances weren't lost on the 50 protesters representing a rainbow of San Francisco's left -- from abortion-rights advocates to anti-war activists to atheists -- who staged Friday's counterprotest.

"There is a real intolerancy to homosexuality in a lot of these organizations," said Peter Cobb, an organizer with Not In Our Name.

Earlier this week, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution condemning the "act of provocation" by what it termed an "anti-gay," "anti-choice" organization that aimed to "negatively influence the politics of America's most tolerant and progressive city."

Luce said it was the first time one of his events has been officially condemned.

A Battle Cry invitation to teenagers made plain the symbolism of gathering in San Francisco for a pre-event rally at "the very City Hall steps where several months ago, gay marriages were celebrated for all the world to see."

Same-sex marriage "is another sign of the end of times," said Sherilyn David, referring to the apocalypse that some fundamentalist Christians believe is foretold in Scripture. The 22-year-old San Jose administrative assistant came to Battle Cry with 15 other young Christians on Friday and will be joined by 60 other friends Saturday.

Christian Gallion, a 15-year-old in town with his Assembly of God youth group from Humboldt County, shrugged off being called "fascists" by counterdemonstrators.

"It doesn't bother me," Gallion said. "It's a beautiful city, and we don't have anything against the protesters."

His youth pastor had no interest in engaging in political debates.

"I'm not here to hate anybody," Scott Thompson said. "This isn't about Bush or gays or anything other than being here to worship together."

That's not how some liberal leaders saw it.

"Even if it is done by a Barnum & Bailey crowd with a tent and some snake oil, I think we need to pay attention to it," said Supervisor Tom Ammiano, who authored the condemnation resolution. "We should not fall asleep at the wheel."

Separated by barricades and six feet of neutral sidewalk in front of City Hall, the two sides traded amplified calls to arms Friday.

On one side of the barricade was girl carrying a sign that said, "Instead of porn, show us Godly relationships." On the other, a woman held one that said, "I moved here to get away from people like you."

As Battle Cry organizers walked through the crowd of young people telling them, "Don't engage with them," one rain-soaked counterdemonstrator yelled, "And next time, come back in summer."

Luce said they will.

"We're going to be back here in a year, to see what kind of progress we've made," he said. "And we're going to be at AT&T Park. Or whatever it is called then."

E-mail Joe Garofoli at jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com.

First off, if you're a mod and feel this belongs in N&P let me just say that I too considered that but I eventually decided to put in in SLAM due to the religious and morality aspects of the rally. Second, does anyone else feel just sort of concerned about the whole 'war' theme going on here? I know Christians have a strong tradition of going to war with those who are not holy, or are the wrong kind of holy, but I don't think that's a tradition that earns them cool points among the fence sitter. Plus I feel this cheapens real, actual war, which most of these people have never seen. Third, I wonder how many gays they managed to turn straight with this little stunt. Converting homosexuals and liberals to God fearing Republicans in the heart of San Francisco is kind of a wasted effort if you ask me.

[Surlethe]

I've been to two or three "Acquire the Fires". They didn't really impress me, and struck me as like a tinny copy of some popular caricature of "coolness". The shows start off Friday night with a band and a speaker, and you go back and sleep; you spend all day Saturday alternating multimedia presentations, bands, and speakers; and then you finish Sunday with an admonition to "stay the course" in your everyday life.

Ron Luce is the head honcho of AtF (which is an outreach of Teen Mania ministries), and it's been his stated goal for two decades now to travel the nation -- a different city every weekend -- setting kids on fire for Christ, releasing them back into society, and retaking the culture for Christ. The military theme has been around every time I've been to the event; it's an oft-used analogy in conservative Christian circles which relates back to the idea of a war in heaven. It's not that difficult to envision the ideas with which you disagree as being driven by Satan and other demons when you accept the existence of a myriad of angels and demons constantly battling for souls, and you see yourself as able to fight the demons by resisting constant temptation and through prayer.

In fact, the concept of a "culture war" -- if not the name -- goes back to St Paul and his writings which admonish people not to be taken in by "the Flesh" but to live in "the Spirit", not to mention his comparison of virtues with battle gear. Christians currently take "the Flesh" as an analogy to popular culture, and "the Spirit" as, obviously, the Holy Spirit and God's presence.

[Civil War Man]

Next on Out of Context Theater...

Ron Luce is the head honcho of AtF (which is an outreach of Teen Mania ministries), and it's been his stated goal for two decades now to travel the nation -- a different city every weekend -- setting kids on fire for Christ, releasing them back into society, and retaking the culture for Christ.

Anyway, this article seemed to be to be a large collection of various ironies, stupid sound bites, and weird contradictions. Particularly the whole "we look forward to the End Times, but the signs of it coming are a bunch of stuff we want to prevent" spiel that we've all heard a million times.

And I have a good cure for the brainwashing all of those young people seem to be suffering from. All we have to do is get every one of them laid, possibly by someone who is either professional or a really well-practices amateur.

[Akhlut]

Ron Luce is the head honcho of AtF (which is an outreach of Teen Mania ministries), and it's been his stated goal for two decades now to travel the nation -- a different city every weekend -- setting kids on fire for Christ, releasing them back into society, and retaking the culture for Christ.

Is it wrong that even though I know what that means figuratively, that I still interpreted it literally?


At anyrate, I do find the war aspect worrying. While I think it's still a few more steps for them to go where they're currently at to, say, Iran 1979 or the Taliban, it's something I definitely don't like about them. It's certainly not impossible for them to go from trying to "retake" culture from "goddless materialists" to violently eliminating the culture of the "goddless materialists."

[Darth Wong]

People pay $55 for advance tickets and $199 at the gate, and they still think this is about spreading virtue rather than generating profit? How fucking stupid are these kids?

[Flagg]

People pay $55 for advance tickets and $199 at the gate, and they still think this is about spreading virtue rather than generating profit? How fucking stupid are these kids?

Well they do accept a 2000 year old dead guy as their personal lord and savior.

[Gil Hamilton]

I caught that as well. It looks like lust and wrath are still wrong, but avarice is A-OK now. Makes sense, since these dudes are the children of the televangelists.

It may also have to do with making sure only the faithful attend, because frankly, these groups say they want to outreach to everyone but the last thing they want are these rallies and what is said in them documented by outsiders. Few counterprotestors are going to pay 200 bucks for the privledge of recording that shit, even for a good cause.

[Wicked Pilot]

People pay $55 for advance tickets and $199 at the gate, and they still think this is about spreading virtue rather than generating profit? How fucking stupid are these kids?

In most of their cases I think the more accurate question is "how fucking stupid are the parents?" It's the youth groups who push this, and in most cases the parents who finance it.

[Big Phil]

People pay $55 for advance tickets and $199 at the gate, and they still think this is about spreading virtue rather than generating profit? How fucking stupid are these kids?

Well they do accept a 2000 year old dead guy as their personal lord and savior.

Technically he's only been dead for 1,972 years (1,973 in April), assuming you accept that he died in 33 CE.

[Surlethe]

People pay $55 for advance tickets and $199 at the gate, and they still think this is about spreading virtue rather than generating profit? How fucking stupid are these kids?

I don't know that the kids push for this; they go to hang out with other teens and see the bands. It's the parents who want the message to get through, and, consequently, the parents who are willing to foot the bill. Once the kids are in, though, it's like the mob mentality takes over, and they're swept up in the moment. It's really no different from the mentality of the audience at a big college football game.

[Flagg]

People pay $55 for advance tickets and $199 at the gate, and they still think this is about spreading virtue rather than generating profit? How fucking stupid are these kids?

Well they do accept a 2000 year old dead guy as their personal lord and savior.

Technically he's only been dead for 1,972 years (1,973 in April), assuming you accept that he died in 33 CE.

I'll round up, because I'm not even convinced the motherfucker ever lived.

[Alex Moon]

The military metaphors are hardly new, nor are they exclusive to Christianity. "War on Poverty" anyone? The use of military terms is prominant because they work at describing large scale actions by people and groups.

Personally, after reading this article I'm siding with the teens. The liberals came off as jackasses.

[Gil Hamilton]

I don't know that the kids push for this; they go to hang out with other teens and see the bands. It's the parents who want the message to get through, and, consequently, the parents who are willing to foot the bill. Once the kids are in, though, it's like the mob mentality takes over, and they're swept up in the moment. It's really no different from the mentality of the audience at a big college football game.

Which, of course, it bone chillingly terrifying. I've known people who go to those things, particularly back when I went to a Christian summer camp, who barely remember it because they get so caught up in the fervor that they basically lose semblance of individuality. And they talk about it like it's the most awesome thing in the world.

Those sorts of things were things that put me on the path away from religion, because I consider nothing more loathsome and horrifying than a group of human beings willingly turned into unthinking cattle, be it in the name of nationalism or in the name of God. I've no respect for anyone who surrenders rationalism and freedom and individualty for the safety and comfort of an ego mass to conform to.

*spits*

(this isn't directed at you Surlethe, these sorts of rallies caused me to lose some good friends once because they were too busy making themselves ideological slaves and were pissed that I found the idea of such a thing to be repulsive)

[Gil Hamilton]

The military metaphors are hardly new, nor are they exclusive to Christianity. "War on Poverty" anyone? The use of military terms is prominant because they work at describing large scale actions by people and groups.

Personally, after reading this article I'm siding with the teens. The liberals came off as jackasses.

Because after all, people who basically declare war on "sin" after being whipped by the thousands into a mindless fervor that is the worst sort of herd mentality that people can sink to (while being milked of their money hand over fist) are way above than the counterprotestors. After all, witless bigoted intolerance is so much better than calling people "fascists", eh?

[Surlethe]

Which, of course, it bone chillingly terrifying. I've known people who go to those things, particularly back when I went to a Christian summer camp, who barely remember it because they get so caught up in the fervor that they basically lose semblance of individuality. And they talk about it like it's the most awesome thing in the world.

The people I know who have gone didn't change permanently, though I'm fairly certain they look back on the events as "fun times". In my experience, one of my good friends was changed more by going down to work for two weeks in a low-income neighborhood in Louisiana than by attending Acquire the Fire three times.

Those sorts of things were things that put me on the path away from religion, because I consider nothing more loathsome and horrifying than a group of human beings willingly turned into unthinking cattle, be it in the name of nationalism or in the name of God. I've no respect for anyone who surrenders rationalism and freedom and individualty for the safety and comfort of an ego mass to conform to.

I agree; and it's terrifying to feel yourself being pulled, the impulse to conform tugging at you, to lose your individuality. There were times attending AtF when I simply curled up in my seat and tried to shut the loud music and roar of humanity out of my ears so I wouldn't have to deal with the pressure to stand up and lose my individuality for a while.

*spits*

(this isn't directed at you Surlethe, these sorts of rallies caused me to lose some good friends once because they were too busy making themselves ideological slaves and were pissed that I found the idea of such a thing to be repulsive)

I understand it's not directed at me. You perfectly captured the reason I stopped attending events like Acquire the Fire.

[DaveJB]

I'll round up, because I'm not even convinced the motherfucker ever lived.

There's evidence that he lived - just not evidence that he was God/The Son of God rather than the L. Ron Hubbard of his era.

[Tribun]

Let's hope it not ends like this story:

The long-standing view of the Children's Crusade is some version of events with similar themes. A boy began preaching in either France or Germany claiming that he had been visited by Jesus and told to lead the next Crusade. Through a series of supposed portents and miracles he gained a considerable following, including possibly as many as 20,000 children.
He led his followers southwards towards the Mediterranean Sea, where it is said he believed that the sea would part when he arrived, so that he and his followers could march to Jerusalem, but this did not happen. Two merchants gave passage on seven boats to as many of the children as would fit. The children were either taken to Tunisia and sold into slavery, or died in a shipwreck. In some accounts they never reached the sea before dying or giving up from starvation and exhaustion. Scholarship has shown this long-standing view to be more legend than fact.

[Baron Scarpia]

I'll round up, because I'm not even convinced the motherfucker ever lived.

There's evidence that he lived - just not evidence that he was God/The Son of God rather than the L. Ron Hubbard of his era.

The evidence is pretty circumstantial and often circular. There isn't a single piece of evidence contemporary to his life in existence, however. His earliest mention in writings came 20-30 years after his supposed death.

[Darth Wong]

I'll round up, because I'm not even convinced the motherfucker ever lived.

There's evidence that he lived - just not evidence that he was God/The Son of God rather than the L. Ron Hubbard of his era.

The evidence is pretty circumstantial and often circular. There isn't a single piece of evidence contemporary to his life in existence, however. His earliest mention in writings came 20-30 years after his supposed death.

It's also noteworthy that portions of his teachings and life story can be found in many other religious belief systems of the era, so it is not at all inconceivable that he was a completely made-up "composite" character, similar to some of the characters made up for modern docudrama movies which are actually an amalgam of many real-life characters.

[Rye]

I'll round up, because I'm not even convinced the motherfucker ever lived.

There's evidence that he lived - just not evidence that he was God/The Son of God rather than the L. Ron Hubbard of his era.

The evidence is pretty circumstantial and often circular. There isn't a single piece of evidence contemporary to his life in existence, however. His earliest mention in writings came 20-30 years after his supposed death.

There is a Jesus historicity thread already going if you want to check that out; as far as I've seen, there are no convincing arguments for mythicism.

[The Yosemite Bear]

trust me I swear the more fanatical elements of the religion turn more people away. I lost my faith in the big church when I was at catholic school and people tried to "beat the Jew" out of me. While I still belive there is a god, I accept evolution, basic science, etc. much of what the evangelical movment does to teens is borderline child abuse/stockholms syndrome....

[Darth Raptor]

I attended a couple AtF seminars years ago. Like Surlethe, I was largely unimpressed. But when my agnostic brother went a few weeks ago, he returned a Bible-thumping bigot.

He's got the fire for Christ now. Someone throw in a book!

[Darth Wong]

I attended a couple AtF seminars years ago. Like Surlethe, I was largely unimpressed. But when my agnostic brother went a few weeks ago, he returned a Bible-thumping bigot.

He's got the fire for Christ now. Someone throw in a book!

And people wonder why I feel that agnosticism is just another word for believers who lack confidence.

[Flagg]

There's evidence that he lived - just not evidence that he was God/The Son of God rather than the L. Ron Hubbard of his era.

The evidence is pretty circumstantial and often circular. There isn't a single piece of evidence contemporary to his life in existence, however. His earliest mention in writings came 20-30 years after his supposed death.

There is a Jesus historicity thread already going if you want to check that out; as far as I've seen, there are no convincing arguments for mythicism.

I'm still on the fence, really. I've seen enough evidence of his existence that I think there is a very strong possibility that someone named Jesus who claimed to be the son of god and was crucified lived, but not enough to convince me he actually did.

[Plushie]

They're coming to Philly?

I have the strong urge to beg Dave M to hold the next Gigantour right next door to this "seminar". I'd certainly go, even if they had to change the date.

Hell, maybe even just Ozzfest -- most of the music is worse, but it's certainly louder. And cruder.